Minister of Health against cannabis legalization

Minister of Health against cannabis legalization

01/20/2015

Bavarian Health Minister Melanie Huml has rejected Cem Özdemir's request to legalize cannabis. Against the Green boss is currently being investigated for a possible violation of the Narcotics Act.

Bavaria rejects the legalization
The Bavarian Minister of Health Melanie Huml (CSU) has, according to a message from the news agency dpa, the request of the Green leader Cem Özdemir to legalize cannabis, as „wrong signal especially for young people“ rejected. According to her, cannabis increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer. In addition, it could also lead to mental disorders with prolonged consumption. As the politician announced on Monday in Munich, Bavaria rejects the legalization therefore.

Özdemir got hemp plant „loaned“
Currently running because of the so-called hemp crop video investigation against Özdemir. Trigger was a video of the Green boss, on the occasion of the Internet action „Ice Bucket Challenge“ has been recorded. Participants took a shower with ice water, were filmed and called for donations for the fight against the rare nervous disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In the video by Cem Özdemir that was supposed to have been taken on the terrace of his apartment in Berlin, a hemp plant can be seen in the background. The politician explained that „world“ According to that, the crop only „loaned“ and been returned in the meantime. Himself lacking for the own cultivation of the plant that „green hands“.

Applicable legislation is meaningless
On Monday, the Greens leader announced a federal initiative to legalize cannabis. The current legislation is meaningless and a waste of resources. However, the release of the drug must go hand in hand with regulations on the protection of minors and a ban on advertising, Özdemir said. The immunity of the member of the Bundestag had been repealed because of the suspicion of cultivation of narcotics, but in the judiciary is expected according to press reports so that the procedure is set because of insignificance.

Facilitate access to cannabis as medicine
According to a representative survey by infratest dimap commissioned by the German Hemp Association, Germans' agreement to a complete legalization of cannabis has risen to 30 percent. In addition, more than 80 percent want to facilitate access to cannabis as medicine, as the survey revealed last year. For some patients, cannabis is also used as a medicine in Germany. Among other things, its effectiveness in nausea and vomiting or in cachexia, a disease in which it comes through extreme emaciation to extreme underweight, demonstrated. In addition, experts advise loss of appetite for marijuana or hashish. Cannabis has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect and can help severely ill people to better endure their suffering. (Ad)